ISLAMABAD- Captain Virat Kohli smashed an unbeaten 61 to steer India tovictory with two balls to spare in the third and final Twenty20 againstAustralia on Sunday, ensuring the series ended all square.
The prolific batsmen lived up to his reputation, coming in when the twoopeners fell in quick succession after an entertaining 68-run partnershipto prevent Australia earning bragging rights ahead of their four Testseries starting next month.
The home team won a nail-biting and rain-affected first match in Brisbaneby four runs, with the second in Melbourne abandoned due to persistentshowers.
“I thought overall skill-wise we were better today,” said Kohli. “When outopeners get into the zone they are difficult to stop. There were a fewnervous moments in between, but (for me) it s always easy when the guys atthe top do what they do.”
After losing the toss and being told to bowl, India restricted Australia to164-6, with all-rounder Krunal Pandya taking four wickets and D Arcy Shorttop-scoring on 33.
Despite losing, Australian captain Aaron Finch said he was proud of theteam.
“The way we fought was outstanding,” he said. “Still fair bit of work to dobut we re going in the right direction which is nice. Feeling good for theTests.”
Australia were boosted by strike bowler Mitchell Starc being back for hisfirst T20 international in two years, replacing Jason Behrendorff.
He caused opening batsmen Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan trouble but theytook apart Nathan Coulter-Nile at the other end, each cracking a huge sixin plundering 29 runs off his first two overs.
Their confidence was soaring and the strokes were majestic as they hammered22 off Marcus Stoinis opening over.
Finch brought Starc back in desperation and he delivered, trapping Dhawanlbw for a highly-entertaining 41 off 22 balls.
Adam Zampa then bowled Sharma for 23, giving them a glimmer of hope.
The spin combination of Zampa and Glenn Maxwell stymied the runs and it wasgame on when KL Rahul fell and Rishabh Pant went first ball, leaving Indianeeding 56 off 36 deliveries.
Read Top Stories
But Kohli was unstoppable, hitting two sixes and four fours as he guidedhis side home alongside Dinesh Karthik (not out 22).
Australia s inconsistent batting has been a concern since theball-tampering scandal in March.
Finch had much to prove, having only managed a top score of 41 in 10innings across all formats. He crunched a four off Khaleel Ahmed in hisfirst over to signal an attacking intent.
At the other end, Short also looked in good nick and they ran well betweenthe wicket to build a 50 partnership.
Finch was given a second life on 23 when Sharma dropped an easy catch, buthe didn t last much longer, getting a top edge to Pandya off Kuldeep Yadavand he was gone for 28 off 23 balls.
His dismissal sparked an incredible few balls.
Glenn Maxwell came in and was given out lbw on the third ball he faced, butthe decision was overturned on review.
On the very next delivery, Short was also given out lbw, this time toPandya. He too reviewed but lost and his innings was over.
In came Ben McDermott and he tried to sweep Pandya on his first ball andwas out lbw for a golden duck, leaving Australia in trouble, losing threewickets for five runs to be 73-3.
It halted their momentum and Maxwell was caught off Pandya near theboundary for 13.
The big-hitting Chris Lynn began adding to the scoreboard but indecisionfrom Marcus Stoinis saw him run out for 13 and Australia s hopes of abigger score were over. – APP/AFP
